Conservative commentator Rick Wilson, a veteran Republican strategist and co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, argued that President Donald Trump's most potent lever of control over the Republican Party "doesn't work" the way it once did, following the primary defeat of one of his most unwavering loyalists.

Representative Andy Ogles, a Tennessee Republican, lost his bid for renomination after falling to primary challenger Charlie Hatcher in the GOP primary race. The outcome came as something of a surprise despite Ogles' controversial record and history of questionable statements, primarily because he carried Trump's endorsement — a seal of approval long regarded as make-or-break for Republican candidates. Ogles had also faced scrutiny over campaign finance filings and embellished biographical claims during his tenure in Congress.

Wilson addressed the development on the most recent episode of the "Fast Politics" podcast with host Molly Jong-Fast. He contended that Ogles' defeat offered further evidence that Trump's endorsements, historically wielded as a disciplinary tool to keep Republicans in line, have lost much of their potency. The broader question of how much Trump's backing translates into electoral success has been a subject of ongoing debate since the 2022 midterms, when several of his high-profile endorsed candidates lost competitive races.

"Andy Ogles thought he had the kiss of life, but had the kiss of death instead," Wilson remarked. He continued: "All of the bulls—— that was definitional to a modern Republican candidate was present there with Andy Ogles. Every single bit of it. And the truth of the matter is it didn't work, didn't help, didn't save him, didn't make it better. It turned out that nothing was going to fix it because Trump's endorsement now, while it used to be something, and it's not nothing, but ... it doesn't work like it worked before."

Wilson also observed that some Republicans are now actively seeking to distance themselves from a Trump endorsement, recognizing it can be a liability with certain voters.

"And in fact, there are some Republicans that I know for a fact, a couple of Republican congressional candidates have been like, 'Well, I didn't ask for the endorsement, but he gave it to me.' Oh, okay. Yeah, that's going to make people feel you're not a complete Trump suck-up after all. Pretty fascinating to me."

Wilson sharply criticized Ogles as a lawmaker and candidate, characterizing him as one of the most MAGA-devoted figures in Washington.

"Trump loved him and thought he was great, he's my guy, this and that," Wilson said. "And yet, didn't work... He wanted to rewrite the Constitution. He is a complete election denier. Trump's word is law with Andy Ogles, defends everything."

Wilson and Jong-Fast also referenced Ogles' desire to "rewrite the Constitution for Trump," noting his proposal to amend the 22nd Amendment to permit presidents to seek up to three terms in office.

Source: Alternet